Please Pray for Pastor Dial and Martha

One of our greatest joys this year has been watching Martha grow into being an essential part of our team.  She is the Director of Rayitos de Luz (children’s Bible club) in Don Pedro and after marrying Pastor Dial in December has been used by the Lord both here in the Dominican and in Haiti.  In March, she went to the hospital with severe swelling and pain. Three day’s after being admitted, at 2 a.m., the Doctor’s decided to perform emergency surgery in order to stop bleeding in her lower abdomen .  The surgery saved her life and a week later she was released.  Please pray for her recovery, and for Pastor Dial and Martha as they rely on the Lord to provide for $5,000 worth of medical bills.

More Post-Trip Debriefing's

We have been having groups come into Haiti throughout our relief and rebuilding efforts.  We ask these groups to fill out a de-brief form at the close of their missions trip. We let those who come know, that they do not have to put there name on the paper yet these friends of ours (who we made in Haiti) chose to sign there de-briefing forms. Our prayer is that this will be a guide for Pastors and lay leaders who desire to dig deeper and see what goes on in the hearts of those who come. I was asked by the Wilmington News Journal in June 2010 how Haiti affects these groups and if the groups are really helping. I believe these de-briefings can shed some light on those questions from a different view point.  Regina and I have learned a lot both in Haiti and in the D.R. from this evaluation process (See March 2008) (See August 2010) and in several cases have implemented long term changes to our short term group strategy. The following 3 de-briefings come from Dr. John Morgan’s church in Farmington, New Mexico.

One thing debriefing triggers is the reentry process. Reentry is both an end and a beginning.

• an end to a foreign experience, but the beginning of feeling foreign

• an end of a trip, but the beginning of another journey

• an end to being/feeling special, but the beginning of being ordinary with a special heart for God and for the people of Haiti

• an end to being stared at, but the beginning of looking at people and the world through different eyes

• an end to simple living, but the beginning of a different lifestyle

• an end to crowded housing, but the beginning of having more space for God and for people

• an end to eating foreign food, but the beginning of friendships with International students, immigrants, refugee’s and ethnic minorities

Casey Garcia - Jeweler’s Assistant

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . conflicted.  Nervous for the impact Haiti has just begun in my life and how that’s going to be revealed back home even more.

2. My experience here has been . . . indescribable.  There’s the third world and then there is Haiti

3. For me Haiti means . . . conflict.  Conflict in emotions, perspective, government and the situation.

4. The people I will miss are . . . The Franklins - those little blondies!  The kids from our construction site. Belen, Taylor and George.

5. The things that I will miss are . . . cold showers. Rice pudding.  Cabbage salad.  Bad roads.  Bags of Water. 

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . Sugar Cane Factories. 

7. When leaving a place I usually . . . feel ready to go home, sad to leave, thankful and joyful about my experience.

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . when I get to Florida and get my Carmel Frappucino!

9. Before I leave I really want to . . . Thank God for Haiti and promise Him to never forget Haiti.

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . revealed . . . I really had none.  The Lord showed me day by day what to absorb and THAT blew my mind. 

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . leaving the Franklins, and knowing this may or may not be be my last time in Haiti (equally stressful)

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . stop spoiling us. Just Kidding.

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . continue helping the Franklins

14. The base needs . . another generator

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . . nothing - it was perfect in everyway

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . Subtle. I feel my reentry is so much like my entry - little expectation so that I can be open to how this all applies to the Big Picture 

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . supportive

3. I anticipate my church to be . . .

4. I picture my friends to be . . . so amazed at the devastation, shocked even.  I know that those closest to me will want stories and will be influenced.

5. I expect my family to

6. I hope my church will . . .

7. I think my friends will be . . .

8. I am looking forward to . . . seeing my fiancé.

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . . revived.  This new perspective is opening up my heart and mind and I feel it will be used back home.

2. I will be going back to . . . planning a wedding and so many new beginnings!!!

3. Going back will enable me to . . . make my calling and election sure.  Haiti re-introduced me to parts of myself that God is eager to use!!

4. Regarding money, I will . . . hold it with an open hand, always remembering its God’s.  I am merely a steward. 

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . my family.

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . . getting ready to be married and seeing God unfold all that.

7. I cannot wait to. . . tell my fiancé about Haiti.  Be more intentional about how I relate to people.  Love well!

Steve Hebert - Furniture Store Manager

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . Sense of exhausted accomplishment.

2. My experience here has been . . . life changing

3. For me Haiti means . . . the possibility of an awakening for mankind

4. The people I will miss are . . . forever a part of my life

5. The things that I will miss are . . . the challenges that exist here

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . the aromas

7. When leaving a place I usually . . . take material souvenirs

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . to return to my family at home

9. Before I leave I really want to . . . thank everyone who worked so hard.

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . exceeded . . . unbelievable.

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . knowing I may never return

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . drink plenty of water, have 3 pair of shoes, lots of Sunblock

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . they are great and can’t think of anything

14. The base needs . . . financial support

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . . seen a little more of Haiti

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . poignant

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . warm and tearful

3. I anticipate my church to be . . . curious

4. I picture my friends to be . . . curious

5. I expect my family to be . . . interested and motivated

6. I hope my church will . . . be supportive in the future of Short Term Missions

7. I think my friends will be . . . curious

8. I am looking forward to . . . organizing my photos / journal  and sharing

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . . ready

2. I will be going back to . . . home and job.  My life changed forever here.

3. Going back will enable me to . . . provide stronger witness for Christ.

4. Regarding money, I will . . . find a way to support missions more

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . retain the emotions born here.

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . . seeing my loved ones

7. I cannot wait to. . . share my experiences

Steve Damron / Small Business owner and Golf Pro.

Note:  Steve is a new Christian and reminds me a lot my uncle Tom (where I get my name).  

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . not ready!  Although I miss my family, I know there is so much to be done. 

2. My experience here has been . . . life changing, I am far richer than I ever imagined. 

3. For me Haiti means . . .

4. The people I will miss are . . . the Franklins and the whole team, I’ve made some life long friends that I will always pray for and remember not only in my mind but will love in my heart. 

5. The things that I will miss are . . . the cooking, the cold showers and most of all the companionship.

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . my blood, sweat and tears; as well as a Christian legacy!

7. When leaving a place I usually . . . never look back!

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . after I board the plane.

9. Before I leave I really want to . . .

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . back and forth.  From not feeling as though I could make a difference to seeing that I have maybe on a few men.

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . tonight at the property.  I have sweat, bled and cried and I know the men respect us for it. 

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . N/A I’ll be back - Keep it up. 

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . bring me back.

14. The base needs . . . nothing

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . . swam in the ocean, but I was not here to vacation either!

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . long, thoughtful, emotional and reflective. 

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . with arms wide open

3. I anticipate my church to be . . . very grateful

4. I picture my friends to be . . . humbled also by my tales and experience. 

5. I expect my family to be . . . I have no expectations, they know I was called by God for this trip. 

6. I hope my church will . . . continue supporting Haiti and the Franklins as well. 

7. I think my friends will be . . . inquisitive

8. I am looking forward to . . . a rare Ribeye Steak!

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . .

2. I will be going back to . . . Farmington, Family, Friends, Fiancé and my business of Hustle and Bustle. 

3. Going back will enable me to . . .

4. Regarding money, I will . . . it now means a fraction of the importance it had prior to my trip. 

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . I am forever changed for leaving these people and I thank everyone from family to the church to the Haitians who have made these changes in me. 

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . . nothing will be easy about it for me. 

7. I cannot wait to. . . come back.